Ggantija World Heritage Park

in collaboration with DeMicoli Associates, Malta

The Ggantija Neolithic temple complex on Gozo, Malta is one of the oldest and historically significant man-made structures on Earth. The design approach for the new visitors’ centre is an integration of culture, structure, landscape, environment, circulation and experience; producing a building that is sensitive to this sacred ground. The scope of this building is essentially to prepare the visitor for a deep spiritual experience.

The initial concept of the proposal is to indent the mass of the interpretation centre into the site and nestle it into the trees. This strategy combines the landscape and the history of the site into a hybrid public cultural garden, acting as a node to promote the rich heritage found in the Xaghra vicinity. This hub could potentially house various temporary exhibitions and events, therefore extending the potential for the Ggantija temples.

The second main feature is that the interpretation centre opportunistically weaves through the open spaces within the trees, exploiting the natural cooler temperatures and shading. A further benefit of this strategy is that the building camouflages itself within the existing landscape of foliage, making the intervention integrated in the landscape.

The pathways act as multi-sensory corridors of sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes. At shaded intersections the typology of the landscape shifts from the exhibiting rhythm of display into a moment of rest and tranquility. The paths extend the concept of the timeline into the landscape, taking the visitor on a journey back in time, enhancing the archaeological experience of the site, which allows the visitor to gradually soak up the landscape and acquire a greater understanding of the temple. These nodes become information points, visual aids, illustrations and a more informal approach of hands-on interactions.